Research summary

How do you remember birthdays, manage schedules, and make sure everyday life runs smoothly?

Often referred to as the ‘mental load’, this hidden work requires significant effort but remains unseen.

This project explores how people experience and manage this hidden work both at home and at work, and how digital technologies are used to shape it.

Project logo depicting hidden work/mental load at home and work.

Project overview

By hidden work or the mental load, we mean the thinking, planning, decision-making and doing involved in organising day-to-day life.

This can include:

  • coordinating childcare or care;
  • managing finances or household supplies;
  • planning meals;
  • tracking schedules;
  • and much more.

Digital tools play an increasing role in how we organise everyday life. For example, people may use messaging apps to coordinate tasks and decisions or shared calendars to organise schedules.

This project examines how these technologies shape when, where, and how mental load is carried out, and how they influence conversations and decision-making between cohabiting partners.

Get involved

Participate in the project

If you would like to participate in this project about the hidden work in everyday lives you can find out more on our dedicated website.

Meet the team

Funders and partner organisations

The project is funded by the Digital Futures of Work Research Centre.

Digital Futures of Work Research Centre logo.